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The knock sensor is bolted directly onto the outside of the engine block and is used to detect vibrations and detonation “knock” noises from the engine to prevent engine damage.
Below are the top three symptoms that could indicate you need to replace your knock sensor:
Engine pre-detonation known as “pinking” or knocking
Reduced engine power
Increased fuel consumption
Our certified mechanics will:
Perform a diagnostic check to discover any fault codes coming from the knock sensor and other related parts of the engine.
Once they confirm that the knock sensor is faulty, they will fit a replacement knock sensor.
Once replaced, the mechanic will start the engine and recheck for fault codes.
Hey Fixter, what causes a knock sensor to break?
Knock sensors can fail due to incorrect mounting, corrosion, breaks in wiring or mechanical damage. Knock sensors are quite fragile, therefore you should take proper care of it to maintain its life for longer.
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St Albans, located in Hertfordshire, is a charming city known for its historical significance and picturesque surroundings. With a population of approximately 60,000, it is a thriving community that values its automotive heritage.
When it comes to car ownership in St Albans, the data collected reveals some interesting insights. Topping the list as the most popular car in the city is the Volkswagen Golf, a favorite among St Albans residents. Following closely behind are the Ford Fiesta, BMW 3 Series, Audi A3, and the Mercedes A-Class.
In addition to the aforementioned information, it is worth noting that St Albans residents have a penchant for luxury and performance vehicles. The city's affluent nature is reflected in the preference for high-end cars that offer both style and substance.
St Albans boasts a significant number of licensed vehicles, with approximately 40,000 cars registered in the city. This high number reflects the city's reliance on private transportation and the need for efficient and reliable car maintenance services.
St Albans is divided into several postcodes and suburbs, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the notable areas include AL1 (City Centre, St Stephens, and St Julians), AL2 (Chiswell Green, Colney Heath, and London Colney), AL3 (Jersey Farm, Marshalswick, and Sandridge), and AL4 (Oaklands, Smallford, and Tyttenhanger). These diverse neighborhoods contribute to the rich automotive landscape of St Albans.
As a car maintenance platform catering to the needs of St Albans residents, we understand the importance of providing top-notch services to keep their beloved vehicles in optimal condition. Whether it's routine maintenance, MOT testing, or repairs, our platform connects car owners with trusted professionals who are well-versed in the specific requirements of St Albans' automotive landscape.
The knock sensor is located on the outside of the engine block. Its job is to record knocking noise from the engine in order to prevent engine damage.
The knock sensor "listens out for" vibrations from the engine block and converts these into electrical signals. The signals are filtered and evaluated in the engine’s control unit. If the vibrations are determined to be outside of the predefined ‘normal’ limits, the engine management control unit will alter the ignition timing until it returns to within the correct limits.
Replacing a knock sensor is not part of routine car maintenance so should only need to be fixed when it breaks or begins to fail. On most modern vehicles, the knock sensor should last over 150,000 miles or the lifetime of the vehicle.
A fault with the knock sensor will often illuminate the Engine Management Light in your car. Your vehicle will fail its MOT if your Engine Management Light remains on when the engine has been started. Under the new MOT rules, it is now classed as a major fault so will need to be fixed before a mechanic can pass your car. Therefore it’s crucial that you keep an eye out for engine warning lights and have your car inspected by one of our vetted mechanics when necessary.
Our certified mechanics will:
Perform a diagnostic check to discover any fault codes coming from the knock sensor and other related parts of the engine.
Once they confirm that the knock sensor is faulty, they will fit a replacement knock sensor.
Once replaced, the mechanic will start the engine and recheck for fault codes.
You should have your knock sensor looked at as soon as you notice any of the related symptoms, such as an illuminated engine warning light, reduced engine power or poor fuel economy. Because your knock sensor plays a vital role in preventing engine damage and in the safe and efficient running of your car, it’s very important to have it fixed as soon as possible.
Usually, there a few signs you can look for:
Engine pre-detonation known as “pinking” or knocking
Engine warning light comes on
Reduced engine power
Increased fuel consumption
Replacing a knock sensor is not part of routine car maintenance so should only need to be fixed when it breaks or begins to fail. On most modern vehicles, the knock sensor should last over 150,000 miles or the lifetime of the vehicle.
During the repair our certified mechanics will:
Perform a diagnostic check to discover any fault codes coming from the knock sensor and other related parts of the engine.
Once they confirm that the knock sensor is faulty, they will fit a replacement knock sensor.
Once replaced, the mechanic will start the engine and recheck for fault codes.
On most modern vehicles, the knock sensor should last over 150,000 miles or the lifetime of the vehicle.
You should not drive with a bad knock sensor. If you continue to drive with a failing sensor, serious damage could be done to your engine, causing an expensive repair or replacement. As well as this a bad knock sensor will greatly reduce your cars power and fuel economy. To save yourself time and money down the line we recommend refraining from driving and getting the issue fixed as soon as possible.
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